Project-a-month resolution: March

This is a quilt I started about twelve years ago. It was meant to use up the scraps from another quilt (still unfinished, naturally) that I made out of Japanese prints in indigo and green. I didn't put a lot of thought into it, just cobbled it together. In hindsight, I could have made better use of the fabrics. Oh, well – live and learn.

The quilting is a mixture of machine and hand. I did a few lines of straight machine quilting on the cream parts, and started hand quilting the patterned strips, then lost interest. I didn't really like the combination of machine and hand quilting, and I considered unpicking the machining and re-quilting it by hand – as though that was ever going to happen! Hence its relegation to the Chest of Shame for several years.

What appeals to me about Japanese prints is the mixture of traditional designs …

… and wacky ones. Purple chillies and mixed seafood, anyone?

I still don't love the combination of machine and hand quilting, but it's there and it's staying. I've done the hand quilting in a criss-cross pattern. I bound the quilt in another Japanese print that I had hanging around; my economical side (usually thoroughly repressed) rejoices that I didn't have to spend an extra cent on this project.

It's not my greatest creative moment, but it's okay, and it's finished, and that's good enough for me.

How to make a felt e-reader cover

I've never been one for gadgets, unless they're the kitchen type. Technological gadgets leave me cold, but I recently bought a Kindle, as even a committed Luddite can see that carrying an e-reader is much handier than lugging books about. I plan to keep mine in my bag at all times, in case of bus queues on the harbour bridge, unpunctual friends, and other time-killing situations.

I know you can buy those vinyl folder things to protect e-readers, but really, how boring. I decided to make my own cover from two bits of felt I bought yesterday at Calico and Ivy in Balmain. If you want to make one too, here's how.

You could adapt these instructions for other gadgets, of course – just leave about 1 cm (1/2 inch) all round, for the seam and so you can get your gadget in and out of the cosy without shoving.

1. You will need two pieces of felt, some embroidery thread and a piece of ribbon, as well as general sewing supplies.

2. Cut a piece of felt 15 x 19 cm (6 x 7 1/2 inches) for the front of the cover.

3. Cut a piece of felt 15 x 27 cm (6 x 10 1//2 inches) for the back and flap of the cover.

4. Using your Kindle as a template, trace around its curves at all four corners of the back and flap piece, and around the bottom corners only of the front piece. Cut away the corners.

5. Matching the raw edges, pin the two pieces together.

6. Tack the two pieces together. Remove the pins.

7. If you have a straight eye, or don't mind wonky lines, you can sew without ruling a line first. Otherwise, rule a line using tailor's chalk, as I did, about 5 mm (1/4 inch) in from the edges.

8. Thread a needle with embroidery thread (I used variegated pearl cotton) and knot the end. Start sewing near where the two pieces join. Bring the needle up from the inside of the pouch to conceal the knot. Make a couple of backstitches across the join of the two pieces to reinforce.

9. Work a line of running stitch around the edge of the flap. When you get to the join on the other side, make another couple of backstitches to reinforce, then keep going with the running stitch all the way around the pouch.

10. Once you return to your starting point, make a couple of small backstitches on the back of the work, fasten the thread, pass the needle inside the pouch to conceal the end of the thread, and cut the thread off.

11. Sew a length of ribbon to the middle of the flap, insert your Kindle, tie the ribbon around it and you're ready to go. Happy e-reading!